Interlocking detachable legs for taxidermy forms

ABSTRACT

A small mammal taxidermy form with detachable locking legs of the type that is comprised of a male post ( 14 ) and a female receptive lock ( 16 ). When the animal is being mounted, and the main body ( 10 ) is slid into the skin, the said male post and the said female receptive lock are engaged and are further stabilized by the body key ( 18 )

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] Not applicable

BACKGROUND-FIELD OF INVENTION

[0002] This invention relates to small mammal polyurethane forms, specifically to such forms used in taxidermy.

BACKGROUND-DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART

[0003] Taxdermists have been using polyurethate forms in the process of mounting small mammals for two decades. These forms have changed very little during this time,

[0004] Originally, the taxidermists made his form from excelsior until the rigid and flexible polyurethane forms came along, Polyurethane forms were a great improvement over hand wrapping excelsior. Later, the Van Dyke Company made a few forms with separate legs that did not lock into the form. These were very difficult to use. All of these models present many disadvantages to the taxidermists:

[0005] (a) Since the molds are made of fiberglass and the polyurethane form is difficult to get out of the mold without breaking the legs of the form because of the polyurethane foam being so weak and brittle, most manufacturers produce a form with an oversized leg to reduce breakage. The oversized leg makes it difficult for the taxidermist to get the skin over the form unless they rasp down the size of the leg

[0006] (b) The depth of the area between the legs on the form is too thick because the mold cannot be made correctly in this area. Because of this, the skin of the mammal will not fit the form without alterations.

[0007] (c) To get a proper fit in the arm pit area, the taxidermist must cut slots in the form for the skin to slide up into this area. Many times the leg support wires are in this area which makes it very difficult to cut these slots.

[0008] (d) Many of the forms are in poses that require the taxidermist to cut the from into before the skin will fit on the form. After the skin is stretched on the form the form must be glued back together which is very difficult.

[0009] (e) Most taxidermist use an incision commonly known as a dorsal incision in the skinning of mammals,

[0010] This incision is made on the back starting at the base of the tail and going to the base of the skull This incision is required for most mounts which results in a 24″-30″ incision which requires a lot of sewing time and makes it hard to conceal the seam.

[0011] (f) Shipping a mammal form is expensive because of the space one form takes up because of the legs.

[0012] Even though the form may only weigh 4 pounds, because of its bulk, it must be shipped as an oversized package which goes as a 30 pound package.

[0013] (g) Damages often occur to the form when shipping because the legs are hard to pack around being attached to the form and sticking out.

[0014] (h) The forms wit separate legs that do not lock into the body come with a bolt to attach the leg. It is very difficult to attach the legs in this manner having to work under the skin to tighten the bolt

[0015] (i) The forms with separate legs are very unstable with the bolt system because the bolt will cut into the form as you tighten the bolt. A taxidermist can never get the leg tight all the way.

[0016] (j) The bolt head would be seen protruding from the form and could be seen sticking out under the skin of the mammal.

[0017] (k) Without a locking system, these type forms made the taxidermist guess the proper location of each leg.

SUMMARY

[0018] In accordance with the present invention a taxidermy form with interlocking detachable legs.

OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES

[0019] Several objects and advantages of the present invention are:

[0020] (a) to provide a form that has the correct size leg which does not require any rasping to make the leg fit the skin;

[0021] (b) to provide a form that is accurate between the legs;

[0022] (c) to provide a form that already has the arm pit slots molded into the form;

[0023] (d) to provide a form with life-like movements that does not have to be cut to get the skin on the form;

[0024] (e) to provide a form which allow the taxidermist to use either a short 8″ dorsal incision or 8″ belly incision;

[0025] (f) to provide a form that can be shipped for less cost;

[0026] (g) to provide a form that will incur fewer damages in shipping;

[0027] (i) to provide a form with detachable legs that locks into the main body producing a stable form;

[0028] (j) to provide a form with detachable legs that lock into the main body without the use of bolts;

[0029] (k) to provide a form with detachable legs that have a positive and accurate seat between the leg and main body;

[0030] Further objects and advantages are to provide a form which is anatomically correct in and around the leg area, which provides a skin slot for the arm pit skin to slide into, which allows the manufacturing of a more accurate and life-like pose, with the ability to shorten the incision by ⅓ the normal length, which will allow the taxidermist more freedom in the location of the incision, which will save money and prevent damages in shipping, which simply locks into the main body without any bolts, which is stable, and which keys in perfectly to the main body. Still further objects and advantages will become apparent from a consideration of the ensuing description and drawings.

DRAWING FIGURES

[0031] In the drawings, closely related figures have the same number but different alphabetic suffixes

[0032]FIG. 1 shows a grey fox form with all four legs interlocked into the main body.

[0033]FIG. 2A shows the rear view of the left ½ of the grey fox form disconnected from the left rear leg.

[0034]FIG. 2B shows a cross section view of FIG. 2A.

[0035]FIG. 3 shows an exploded view of this area.

REFERENCE NUMERALS IN DRAWINGS

[0036] 10 main body 16 female leg lock 12 left rear leg 18 body key 14 male post

DESCRIPTION-FIGS. 1, 2A, 2B, and 3-PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0037] A preferred embodiment of the interlocking leg is illustrated in FIG. 1 (all legs connected), FIG. 2A (rear view), FIG. 2B (cross section of FIG. 2A), and FIG. 3 (an exploded pictorial view). All legs lock into the main body 10 in the same manner. Therefore, only the left rear leg will be discussed and shown.

[0038] The left rear leg 12 locks into the main body 10 by means of a male post 14 going onto a female leg lock 16. The end of the male post 14 is either chamfered at 45 degree angles on all sides or is rounded on the end to make insertion into the lock 16 easier. The post 14 is usually 1.25 cm. to 2.5 cm. long. The depth of the lock is 0.3 cm. more than the respective post 14. This ensure a positive seat with the body key 18. The size of the lock 16 and post 14 are dependent on the size form for which it is made. For example; a mink size form would use 1.87 cm. square size lock 16 and post 14, and fox and bobcat size forms would use 2.5 cm. square lock 16 and post 14. The post 14 and lock 16 must be the same size to allow for a tight fit allowing the interlocking of both parts. Post 14 may be made from polyurethane foam like the main body or a wood post may be inserted into the mold during the foaming process. The body key 18 is an exact match for the leg to seat into the body giving even more stability to the lock.

[0039] Alternative Embodiments

[0040] There are various other shapes with regards to the post 14 and lock 16 that could be used. These could be a cylindrical or rectangular post 14 and lock 16 instead of the previously mention square post 14 and lock 16.

[0041] Advantages

[0042] From the description above, a number of advantages of my interlocking leg become evident;

[0043] (a) With the small mammal legs produced separate from the main body, the legs can be produce the correct size saving the taxidermist time in getting the skin to fit the leg

[0044] (b) By producing the legs separate from the main body, the areas between the front legs and back legs will be the correct proportions to allow for proper fit of the skin over the form. This will be especially helpful in the back legs because it will allow the incision to come together without excessive pulling and stretching of the skin.

[0045] (c) The skin slot will be formed into the main body and will allow the taxidermist to simply slide the arm pit skin into this area without any modification or cutting.

[0046] (d) The interlocking leg forms will allow the taxdermist to use forms in any pose without having to cut the form to get the skin to go over the form. This will also allow the taxidermist to use forms with more radical and lifelike pose which will generate more business for them.

[0047] (e) The interlocking legs will save the average taxidermist 30-60 minutes per animal in sewing the incision back together because the length of incision can be reduced by up to 75%.

[0048] (f) The cost of shipping, damages, and packaging of these forms will be greatly reduced by saving time in packing requirements and bulk of the forms.

[0049] (g) This locking system allows the taxidermist to simply push the legs into the post and the leg is locked into the correct position producing a stable and accurate seat without the use of any tools or bolts.

[0050] Operation-FIG. 3

[0051] The manner of using the interlocking leg small mammal form is quite simple. After the skin is tanned by which ever means the taxidermist prefers, the taxidermist slips each leg into the corresponding leg of the mammal's skin. Next, the main body 10 is slid into the main body skin. As the main body form 10 is inserted to the point of the front legs, each leg lock 16 is aligned with the post 14 of each corresponding side and are slid together locking the legs into place in the body form (FIG. 3). After this, the skin is pulled down to the back of the form where the back legs 12 are locked into the form in the same manner as the front (FIG. 3). Finally, the short incision is sewn together and the final detail work is done.

[0052] In regards to the manufacture shipping the interlocking leg forms, the shipper simply tapes the legs together and than tapes the legs to the main body. This will reduce the chance of the legs getting broken in shipping and will also save money due to the reduction of the size of the corrugated box needed to contain the form.

[0053] Conclusion, Ramificatioos, and Scope

[0054] Accordingly, the reader can see that the interlocking leg small mammal form can reduce the time that is normally required to mount a small mammal by reducing the length of the incision and eliminating the need to cut the form in order to get the skin to fit the form. In addition, this form saves even more time by having the arm pit skin slot molded into the form eliminating any need for additional work in this area and provides for a superior fit in the legs and between the legs which saves additional time and makes the mounting job easier. Furthermore, the post and lock provides a simple, yet effective means by which the legs can be attached to the main body in a stable and accurate manner. Finally, the interlocking legs provide the manufacture with a small mammal form which is easier to package, to produce, and cheaper to ship.

[0055] Although the description above contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but as merely providing illustrations of some of the present preferred embodiments of this invention, For example, the post and lock can have other shapes such as circular, oval, rectangular, ect., and sizes.

[0056] Thus the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the examples given. 

I claim:
 1. In a composite material form comprising variest animal body shapes, the improvement wherein said body form has detachable appendages.
 2. The animal body form of claim 1 wherein said body form is composed of polyurethane or other molding materials.
 3. The animal body form of claim 1 has detachable and re-attachable appendages.
 4. The appendages of claim 3 have a receiving molded female aperture of a geometric shape directly corresponding to a male post of the same geometric shape molded to the larger portion of the molded animal form. To which, the female aperture correspondingly receives the male post to cause a x-axis and y-axis lock of the appendages to the main portion of the molded animal form.
 5. In the alternative, the appendages of claim 3 have a molded male post of a geometric shape directly corresponding to a female aperture molded into the larger part of the main portion of the molded animal form. To which, the female aperture correspondingly receives the male post to cause a x-axis and y-axis lock of the appendage to the main portion of the molded animal form. 